EZEKIEL 14:21-23: “This is what the Almighty LORD says: I will surely send four terrible punishments against Jerusalem. I will send wars, famines, wild animals, and plagues. They will destroy people and animals. But some people will survive. Some of your sons and daughters will be brought out. When they come out to you, you will see how they live. Then you will be comforted after the disasters that I will bring on Jerusalem, after every disaster that I will bring against it. You will be comforted when you see how they live. Then you will know that everything I have done was done for a reason,” declares the Almighty LORD.” (GW)‭‭

OBSERVATION:Does anything make sense anymore? Just when we think there may be light at the end of the tunnel, we are thrown another curve ball. It seems that we are on a crash course toward judgment. Darkness is promoted a light, evil is held up as goodness. The morality of the nation I lived in as a child seems but a faded page in a lost book of antiquity. Every day there is a new revelation of disappointment regarding our culture and our leaders.

Will it every make any sense?

Can you imagine how Ezekiel felt? The Lord had called him to prophesy against his own people regarding the coming judgment for all of their sins. The nation of Judah had ignored the judgment that was brought upon her sister Israel (the Northern tribes), when they were taken captive by Assyria. Judah continued to follow idolatry and reject the warnings and call to repentance from the many prophets that the Lord sent to her. Hardened in her sin, she rushed toward judgment. The Lord even told Ezekiel in the preceding verses,

“Even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in that country, they would, by their righteousness, rescue only themselves,” declares the Almighty LORD.” (‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭GW‬‬)

Would it ever make any sense?

I can remember the days after September 11, 2001. Our nation was stunned as we witnessed the most horrific attack by an enemy on our own soil. Over 3000 killed on this terrible day that will live in infamy. Yet, it no longer lives in the hearts of our nation. What do I mean? We are much like Judah. The Sunday after 9/11 churches all across our land were filled to capacity as people poured in to worship and pray. However, this was short lived, and there has been no lasting change. If the tone of our current election process is any indication of where we are as a nation, we have progressively slipped further and further away from morality and righteousness since that day, rather than returning to the Lord.

Will it ever make any sense?

The Lord assures Ezekiel, and I believe He wants to assure us that there is a day of both reckoning and clarification coming! Although it is unclear what is around the corner, as believers we must affirm – Jesus Christ is Lord. We must remember what the writer of Hebrews proclaimed,

“You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

There is a day coming when we will clearly see that everything the Lord is doing, and allowing to take place, has a reason! Jesus is Lord and in full control! We may not see all things under His control at the moment, and we may not understand everything that is taking place, BUT WE SEE JESUS! Our call is to remain faithful and to continue to shine as lights of His love and righteousness in a broken, dark, and fallen world. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We believe – therefore we live! The just will live by faith! The faithful will one day fully see the righteous justice and purposes of God. Until then – we cling to the cross and proclaim the Gospel!

Will it ever make sense?

ABSOLUTELY!

In Jesus Name!

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About Kirk's Devotional Journal

Kirk L. Zehnder is the Founder of Resurrection Christian Outreach. RCO is a ministry that promotes the growth and vitality of the local church through speaking engagements, seminars, various media tools, and written curriculum and books. This ministry was started over 35 years ago by Kirk as a means to strengthen the church that he was pastoring. It grew as Kirk began to share these tools with other churches. Today many of the materials are being used by local churches both nationally and internationally.
Kirk's Devotional Journal is a result of struggling with Bible reading programs that never seemed to work. Kirk feels the Lord helped him discover an easy to follow program to Read, Reflect, Pray, and Journal through the Bible in one year. This program is called L.I.F.E. Unlike other programs there are no dates to follow. You can miss a day and still complete your reading. You never feel like the dates and verses you missed are chasing you. You are free to enjoy your daily Biblical journey and listen to the voice of The Lord. For more information on the L.I.F.E. plan, send an email to rcoutreach@aol.com.
Kirk is also available for speaking engagements, seminars, and retreats. With over 40 years of professional business and pastoral ministry experience, Kirk brings a unique combination of practical wisdom, humor, and Biblical insight. If you would like Kirk to speak at your church, school, or ministry, please send an email to rcoutreach@aol.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your opportunity.